Football is a family tradition for CNU recruit Epps

Big brother Ricky, a three-sport athlete in high school who went on to play college football, was right there in front of him.

"I always told everybody — I still tell everybody — I wanted to be just like him, ever since I was little," Ben said. "We always had a ball in our hand. I didn't think there was any other option. We were going to be playing sports."

Ricky, 27, is nine years older than Ben, 18, who will take his multi-faceted talents to Christopher Newport this fall after throwing for 667 yards and rushing for 346 as a dual-threat quarterback at Isle of Wight. But the brothers have a strong bond, forged in countless hours spent throwing the football in the backyard or facing off against each other in one-on-one pickup games.

"When he was younger, with me being nine years older, it wasn't really a fair fight," said Ricky, a teacher and coach at Southampton High who, like Ben, played football, basketball and baseball in high school. "It has become more competitive now, but I still love him to death and would do anything for him."

Throughout Ricky's playing career, first at Surry Academy, then Tidewater Academy and Randolph-Macon, Ben was a constant presence in the stands. Ben's 8-year-old voice often pipes up on old game film, telling the boys' mother about a good play Ricky just made.

"Him seeing me play quarterback — the quarterback's the captain, and he's kind of the center of attention. I think Ben liked that," Ricky said. "We both are vocal and love being leaders and stepping up and taking that role. He's got the same personality as me as far as wanting to motivate his teammates and keep them on track."

Ricky coached Ben as an Isle of Wight assistant from Ben's eighth grade year until leaving this past season for Southampton, where he teaches health and physical education and is an assistant varsity football coach, as well as the head junior varsity boys basketball coach.

"I absolutely love watching him play," said Ricky, who was a scrambler like his brother. "He's exciting to watch and he's fun to watch. Once he got to JV level, I could really see myself. It was like watching myself play. It's really kind of weird seeing him out there. He moves just like I move, just a little bit quicker."

Ben is slightly smaller than his 6-foot brother — not that it ever stopped him.

"I tried being a receiver and running back when I was little, and quarterback — I knew that's where I wanted to play," Ben said. "(Ricky) always told me size doesn't matter in football. You don't have to be big to play football. It doesn't matter what anyone tells you."

Ben knows he may have to prove that all over again at CNU, where he's also being looked at as a safety.

"They're probably thinking, 'He's too small to play quarterback,' but that's what people have thought my whole life," Ben said. "I might as well just go and show them what I can do."

Ben is one of several area players who will join the Captains next season, including Landstown linebacker Chris Probst, Lafayette offensive lineman Nick Kepa, Woodside linebacker Justin McFadden and New Kent running back Storm Parker, with whom Ben has already struck up a Facebook friendship.

Ben considered other schools, such as Division II Bridgewater and his brother's alma mater, but was drawn to the Captains' winning tradition and athletic facilities. It doesn't hurt that CNU is so close to home, and Ben already has envisioned the POMOCO Stadium stands full of family, including dad Hugh, also a multi-sport star in high school.

Ricky — who says Ben is faster than he was but maintains he can still throw the ball a bit farther — can't wait for the role reversal of being the one cheering on his little brother. He hopes football continues to teach Ben all the things he took from it, like how to work hard and be responsible.

"It's the biggest team sport," Ricky said. "It's the biggest sport where you have to come together and look out for each other. If you play selfish or just play for yourself you're not going to be successful as a team.

"Any good football program is always going to refer to themselves as a family, a group of brothers."